Oral history interview with Glenn G. Massey conducted by David A. Schulman on March 26, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Massey discusses life in Las Vegas, Nevada between 1952 to 1981. He also discusses his work as a automobile body shop owner and manager, the owner of the Eldorado Canyon Resort between 1962 and 1970, a trailer park owner, and his employment with Las Vegas automobile dealers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Myoung-ja Lee Kwon conducted by Claytee D. White on September 03, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Kwon discusses moving to the United States from Seoul, Korea after graduating from Seoul National University. She also discusses beginning her career as a librarian at multiple universities, retiring in 2001 and taking the position of dean of libraries at the Hayward campus of California State University, East Bay, retiring from there in 2008.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lendon Barney conducted by Kelly Adams on March 03, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Barney discusses his experiences as an early resident of Bunkerville, Nevada, his membership in the Mormon church, and his career as a music teacher for schools in Clark County, Nevada. Barney also describes some of the early development and changes in Nevada, such as the population growth, changes in housing prices, and the building of highways.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Merna Dennison conducted by Ken Pyatt on March 01, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Merna Dennison discusses the importance of Cashman Field and the Helldorado Parade. She speaks about serving on the Clark County School Board and discusses the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada, especially the development and expansion of both McCarran International Airport and the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Brooks conducted by Jeff Kennedy on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske ORal History Project on Early Las Vegas. During the interview Brooks discusses gaming, education, the early above-ground atomic blasts, the Boulder Dam, and social and environmental changes in Nevada. Brooks also discusses the Old Ranch, economic changes, religion, politics, family life, the Navy, sports, the railroad, Fremont Street, and the hotels on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gwen Weekes Rahner conducted by Gail M. Lehtinen on September 28, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Rahner discusses her role in getting people from the African American community to go out and vote. She also talks about her experience with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She also discusses atomic testing, infrastructure, and the local legislature.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Theodore Garrett conducted by Marilyn Swanson on March 2, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Garrett discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work for Six Companies during the construction of Hoover Dam, his job as a truck driver, the wages paid at the time, and the construction in Boulder City, Nevada. Garrett also mentions the food provided to the workers, the recreational activities available, and his family’s move to Boulder City.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sherwin Garside conducted by David Anderson on March 25, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Garside discusses his father’s newspaper business and his personal knowledge of the early mining that took place in different parts of Nevada. He also talks about living in the town of Tonopah, Nevada, the Native Americans who lived in the area, and his experiences from living in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Guy Hamblin conducted by Barry Merrell on February 22, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Hamblin discusses moving from different towns in Nevada before settling down in Southern Nevada, viewing the above-ground atomic bomb tests, early Fremont Street, and his work on the railroad. Hamblin also discusses the demographic and economic changes that he has seen in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Leeander Fields Hayes conducted by Mark Kevin Ryhlick on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Hayes discusses the history of entertainment in Las Vegas, Nevada from the mid-1940s to 1958, specifically the local live music and comedy scenes. He also touches on the topic of segregation and how Black entertainers, such as Lena Horne, were treated when they came to perform in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection